FDA-approved helmet puts Salt Lake man's depression into remission


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MILLCREEK — Jerid Robinett wears a helmet to keep him safe when he rides his motorcycle. He also puts one on for another life-saving purpose.

"I had a really big struggle just getting (by) day to day for a long time," said Robinett of Salt Lake City. The 34-year-old suffers from depression. "For me, it was just kind of a dark pit."

It started when he was 17 and about to graduate from high school. He has cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening disorder that damages the lungs. An uncertain future led to a breakdown and a three-day, in-patient hospital stay. Medication did not work for Robinett. An innovative treatment, however, does.

"Basically it helps us turn on and make fire the neurons that may be sitting there not doing much," said Dr. Benjamin Thatcher with Valley Behavioral Health.

The FDA-approved cushioned helmet uses deep transcranial magnetic stimulation to treat major depressive disorder. Under a doctor's supervision, brief magnetic fields go to work at an amplitude similar to an MRI.

"Those brain cells aren't working properly. They're kind of hypoactive. This is a way to kind of wake them up," Thatcher said.

Of the 15 million Americans suffering from clinical depression, nearly half don't respond to or can't tolerate medication. The helmet is another option that works. It's a seven-week treatment, five days a week for the first four weeks for a half-hour a day. Thatcher said about half of patients may need a maintenance treatment within the first year. While every patient responds differently, for some it's not pleasant.

FDA-approved helmet puts Salt Lake man's depression into remission

"You feel like something is grabbing the inside of your brain and poking it, not hard and not soft at the same time," Robinett said. "You feel the whole right side of your face clench up and your whole arm wants to go everywhere."

But studies show significant statistics in both response and remission rates. According to the official journal of the World Psychiatric Association, the treatment is safe and effective in major depressive disorder patients who did not benefit from medication. Researchers noted a "clinically meaningful improvement."

For Robinett, it turned his life around. "I started pulling out stuff that I hadn't touched in years," he said.

Like his calligraphy set. "It was such a change. It re-engaged my brain and gave me a little direction where I wanted to go."

His depression is in remission. Now he's enjoying the ride. "I feel great, actually. It's not a burden. Life is good," he said.

Researchers are looking into treating other disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder with the helmet as well. To do so, they'd aim the magnet at another part of the brain.

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